Platform-adjusting device for harvesters



(No Model.)

J. P. STEWARD. PLATFORM ADJUSTING DEVIGE FOR HARVESTERS. No. 396,006. Patented Jan. 8, 1889.

.N. PETERS. PhulaLhhogr-zphnr, WilSlliflglOlI. B C.

UNITED TATES PATENT JOHN F. STEWARD, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

PLATFORM ADJUSTlNG DEVICE FOR HARVESTERS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 396,006, dated January 8, 1889.

Application filed April 3, 1888. Serial No. 269,479. (No model.) I

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JOHN F. STEWARD, of the city of Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented certain new aaid useful Improvements in Platform-Adjusting Devices for Harvesters, of which the following is a full description, reference being had to the accompanying perspective views of the invention, in which Figure 1 shows the parts in position for being adjusted; Fig. 2, certain of the parts as locked.

The essence of my invention consists in combining with the platform-frame connected to the grinind-wheel for vertical adjustment, as usual, a chain connected to the wheel-support and passed under a guide on the platform-frame, with. its end left free, so that it maybe grasped and lifted by hand, in consequence of which arrangement the power applied in lifting the free end of the chain acts primarily to raise the frame, and, secondly, to urge the wheel downward in relation to the frame.

A is a finger-beam; divider-bar.

D is an arm, bracket, or carrier upon which the suppin-ting-wheel E is mounted. At the 3, the back sill; C, the

front end this bar is turned into a directionparallel with the finger-bar and pivoted in the bearing (1, secured. to the finger-beam. At (1' its rear end is turned in a similar direction and formed into an axle so far through the wheel as to permit it to have secured to its inner end the upwardly-projecting arm I. The turned-in part of the arm D at the front pivotally passes tl'irough the bearing (Z, and is there connected at its end to the rod G, which is hooked into the upper extremity of the arm F. The divider-bar O is secured at the front and rca r to the beam A and the sill B, the rear extremity, however, passing, preferably, to a point behind the sill B, and there provided with a key-hole-shaped eye, G.

II is a rod terminating in the chain I. The rod may be dispensed with and the chain I continued so far forward as to connect with the top of the arm F. The rod, however, is cheaper than the chain. Beneath the sill 13, at b, is applied an anti-friction metal plate. A roller may be substituted, but a plate in this case I find to serve a good purpose, as the chain runs around it quite freely. The chain I is extended beneath this and passes upward through the key-hole-shaped eye in the end of the bar 0, and is provided at its upper end with a handle, as i. The key-hole-shaped eye is preferably so made that the narrow portion shall be forward; but its position may. be reversed or turned sidewise. I prefer it, however, as shown.

The operation of my invention is as follows: The operator grasps the chain and draws it to the position shown by full lines in Fig. 1, and then pulling upon it lifts the sill B, and at the same time pulls down and back on the upper end of the arm F, thus pressing the wheel upon the ground and causing the entire platform to rise. When it has been placed at the proper height, the hand is moved forward to the position shown in dotted lines in Fig. 1, and thus a-link of the chain caused to enter the slot of the key-hole-shaped eye, which is but wide enough to let the saidv link enter sidewise. As soon as the stress is removed from the chain the link immediately above the one in the slot falls upon the sides of the said slot and forms a lock. \Vhen desirable to lower the platform, the operation just described is reversed. The handle of the chain may be permitted to hang, as shown in Fig. 2, at all times when idle, because, whatever the height of the adjustment, its end is always sufficiently far from the ground'not to drag.

It is plain that the key-hole-shaped eye in the bar 0 might be made round and the chain locked therein by a toggle-pin passing through the links; but this would not be as convenient. Various other forms of locking devices might be substituted; but I prefer the 0011- struction shown, and in my claim shall treat the same as a locking device, the equivalent of any known form adapted to engage a chain or wire rope, which. may be substituted for the chain, and secure it.

The anti-friction plate might be secured to the bar (3, and thus avoid the necessity of goin g beneath the sill B; butI preferit as shown. I consider that if the chain passed under any part or piece secured to the platform in such a manner that the pulling of the chain would tend to lift the said platform and carry the said wheel down such modification would not be a departure from my invention.

The hinged wheel-carrying arm or bracket:- D (herein shown) is not of the essence of my invention, being but one of various equivalent devices new known in the art for connecting the wheel and frame, and allowing vertical adjustment of the latter.

I am aware that wheel-adjusting chains have been extended under guides on the frame to various drums andethermechanical operating devices mounted on the frame, and myinvention is limited to an organization in which the free end of the chain is arranged to be grasped and lifted by an attendant standing on the ground, so that the first and direct effectof the lifting action on the chain is to raise the frame.

\Vhat I claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

guide, with one end extended upward and secured to the wheel-carrier and the other end left free to be grasped and lifted by hand, and a plate or fastening device on' the frame to engage and hold said chain, whereby the eperater is enabled by a direct upward hit upon the chain to eil'fect the easy and positive adjustment of the platfonml'ranie.

2. The harvester plat'li'orni, the arm or bracket hinged thereto, and the grain-wheel carried by the arm, in combination with the guide or bearing 71 on the frame, and the chain passed from the wheel-earrying arm downward beneath the guide and exposed at the opposite end, t hat it may be grasped and lifted by hand, whereby the attendant stalnling at the side of the machine is enabled to apply a direct lifting action and to easily ef'feet the 1. In a litllVGSiiil'lg-11]1Cllli1(, the ground- 1 vertical adjustment of the frame. wheel, the Vertically-adjustab1e l)l21i'f0llil frame, and the intermediate wheel-support, as usual, in combination with a guide on the platform-frame, a chain passed beneath the .101 IN F. STE W AIR] \Vitnesses:

l". i). Mi onnniuifnir, '71. H. Reno. 

